A message on the wall of Colne Football Club's clubhouse in Lancashire, written by burglars who smashed their way into an amateur football club's cafe and cooked burgers on a griddle. Photo: Colne Football Club

Cheeky burglars who smashed their way into an amateur football club's cafe and cooked burgers on a griddle scrawled "thank you burgor (sic) was great" before leaving a trail of destruction.

Share

Burglars cooked themselves burgers after raiding football clubhouse

Independent.ie

Cheeky burglars who smashed their way into an amateur football club's cafe and cooked burgers on a griddle scrawled "thank you burgor (sic) was great" before leaving a trail of destruction.

The thieves also stole around 10 bottles of spirits from Colne Football Club's clubhouse in Colne, Lancashire, after helping themselves to cups of coffee and hot chocolate - even taking the trouble to defrost bread to accompany their burgers in the ground's cafe.

This morning volunteers found the message daubed next to the cafe's price list in black ink that read, "thank you burgor (sic) was great" before signing off with "Joey back at it" and a smiley face.

Treasurer for the club Janette Harries condemned their actions and said she hoped police would catch the culprits.

"It's cheeky, they are rubbing our noses in it. Whether they are dumb enough to write their real name - you can't tell. They put the kettle on and made themselves a brew and even made themselves burgers.

"They got the burgers out of the freezer and put them on the griddle and defrosted teacakes, they even used oil on the griddle so they have been quite considerate. But he didn't wash up afterwards - I'm saying he's male because I don't know a male who has ever washed up after themselves."

The theft happened sometime between 7pm on Saturday and 10am today after the club was locked for the night following a match game. It has been reported to police.

After prising off metal sheeting to the cafe, the offenders then smashed their way into the clubhouse making off with unopened bottles of spirits which they wheeled away in wheeliebins.

Mrs Harries added: "People who do things like this don't think about who they affect, they only think about themselves. The place is just trashed. We presume it was more than one because they have taken three of our dustbins to carry away the spirits. They've thrown stuff around in there - food which we now can't sell.

"We are all unpaid volunteers and the club is not for profit, any money we make we reinvest in the club and this is diverting what we have away from developing and advancing the club. It's very frustrating"

She estimated that the break-in has cost in the region of £1000.

"They will be having a right good party somewhere today eating crisps, drinking alcohol and enjoying the proceeds of our misfortune."

Last night's break-in is the third in just over a year. In September burglars broke in and sprayed milk over walls and again stole spirits.

Mrs Harries added: "It's depressing that they keep on coming back, they are living very selfish lives."

Colne FC took to Twitter to break the news to fans.

The Tweet from @ColneFC read: "Been broken into once again. Same job as last time, once again plenty of alcohol taken and plenty of doors and windows need replacing."

A further Tweet said: "At least the thief likes our Burgers! He cooked quite a few."

On Facebook, a further post appealed to people on social media for information alongside a picture of the hand-written message.

It read: "Great review of our burgers, however if you could please share this to try and find the scumbag(s) that broke into the club last night. Joey, whoever you are, good luck.

"If anybody heard anything, please let us know. Remember, we're all volunteers trying to provide the town with a football team."

Dean Cunningham wrote: " Absolutely sickening! Volunteers who give up their free time for a local club only for a local scumbag to do this!"